Means for controlling the operation of phonographs



July 20, 1937.

J. E. RENHOLDT ET A1. 2,087,862

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF PHONOGRAPHS Filed Jan. 10, 1954 2 Sheets-S t July 20, 1937. J. E. RENHOLDT ET AL 2,087,862

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF PHONOGRAPHS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a n m a S T m WE ,n MnmQ w Patented July 20, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF PHONOGRAPHS tion of New York Application January 10, 1934, Serial No. 705,984

12 Claims.

This invention relates to means for controlling the operation of phonographs and more particularly to means controlling the motor circuit of a dictation transcribing machine.

An object of the invention is to provide simple and practical start-and-stop control means of the character described.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of our invention:

Fig. l. is a partial front elevation of a dictation transcribing machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan of a portion of the base plate of the machine showing the switch-actuating mechanism; and

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the various views of the drawmgs.

Before referring to the drawings, for an understanding of the invention as specifically embodied therein it may be well to refer briefly to the geneneral organization of such a machine and its operation in so far as the present invention applies thereto.

Transcribing machines of the character mentioned are provided with a rotatable mandrel for supporting a hollow record-cylinder in operative relation to a reproducer sound-box and stylus. The record-cylinder to be transcribed is slipped over the end of the mandrel and then pushed to its seat upon the mandrel by pressure of the operators fingers against the outer end of the cylinder. When the transcription is finished the operator removes the record-cylinder by the manipulation of a device known as a record-ejector which, engaging the inner end of the cylinder, moves it endwise of the mandrel a suflicient distance to release it from gripping contact with the mandrel, after which the operator completes the removal of the cylinder by hand. A gripping contact between cylinder and mandrel obtains when the cylinder is fully seated due to the fact that the mandrel is tapered to a reduced diameter at its outer end and the inside surface of the cylinder is similarly tapered from a larger diameter at its inner end to a. smaller diameter at its outer end.

The mandrel is generally driven by means of an electric motor having a manually operable switch included in its circuit connection with an electric power source. The motor driving connection with the mandrel usually includes a clutch for discontinuing the rotation of the mandrel while motor operation continues.

Keeping in mind these features of construction and operation it will be apparent that after finishing the transcription of a record the operator may stop mandrel rotation in order to remove the cylinder by releasing the clutch but forget to stop the motor, under which circumstances, perhapsduring long periods of time, the power consumed will be entirely wasted.

It has been found in practice that at the end of a transcription the operator mechanically actu- "ates the record-ejector to loosen the cylinder from the mandrel, even though the cylinder may not be immediately completely removed therefrom. By the present invention advantage is taken of this mechanical action to cause operation of the motor circuit switch to its open position, thus insuring non-operation of the motor for so long as the ejector stands in its out or protracted position. Thus, ordinarily the motor is idle whenever the mandrel does not support a record-cylinder. Furthermore, this 7 invention provides for automatically closing the motor switch whenever a record-cylinder is brought into operative relation with .the mandrel; or

whenever the record-ejector is returned to its retracted position by any other act of the operator.

Now referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the dictating machine frame comprises a base-plate H], a 'pair of standards I I (only one of which is shown), and a housing l2. The housing 12 and the standard ll shown in the drawings provide bearing support for a mandrel shaft l3 .provided at one end with a mandrel M which is adapted to support and frictionally engage a record-cylinder IS. The mandrel shaft also supports a loose pulley l6 which may be brought into driving connection with the said shaft by means of a clutch device I! manually controlled in a known manner. The pulley I6 is connected by means of a belt IS with an electric motor l9 which is suspended in a known manner from the underside of the base-plate H].

A sound-box carriage 20 is supported for longitudinal movement relatively to the record-support l4 upon a pair of guide rods 2| and 22 supported between the said standards. The carriage is propelled along the guide rods by means of a feed-screw 23 driven from the mandrel shaft l3 through any suitable train of gears (not shown) disposed within the housing. A feed-nut 24 mounted on the carriage cooperates with the feed-screw.

The ejector device for freeing the cylinder from the mandrel is substantially like that shown in United States Patent No. 1,687,375, and comprises a plunger 25 supported in the housing l2 to move longitudinally of the machine. The operating end of the plunger 25 has a head 26 so shaped as to pass by the mandrel flange 21 but to engage the inner end of the record-cylinder I5 when the plunger is protracted from its inner or left-hand position. The other end of the plunger is fastened to the upstanding arm 28 forming part of a longitudinally disposed link 29 which is supported beneath the base l0 and terminating at a point adjacent the outer end of the mandrel. Here the link is connected to a lever 30 by means of a shoulder stud 3 I. Lever 30 is iulcrumed upon a stud 32 adjacent the rear of the machine, and at its forward end is provided with an upwardly extending portion 33 forming a fingerpiece by means of which the ejector is operated. The fingerpiece extends through a slot 34 formed in a plate 34 which covers a suitable opening 35 left in the frame base I 0. 'The ends of the slot 34 serve as stops for limiting the movement of the lever 30.

The ejector parts are held in their normal position at the left end of their path of movement by means of a spring 35 having one end connected to the lever and the other end connected to the link 29, as shown in Fig. 2. It will be'apparent that this spring has a tendency to pull the lever 30 to the left, as shown in Fig. 2, and that when the lever moves to the left the link 29 and plunger 25 must also move to the left where the spring yieldingly maintains the entire device in unoperated position. In the embodiment shown the link 29 is supported and guided in its movement by a shoulder stud 38 passing through a slot 39 in the link. A plate 40 is adjustably secured to the underside of the link 29 by means of studs 4! which threadedly engage the link after passing through elongated slots 42 formed in the plate 40. This plate is provided with a downwardly turned flange 43 which serves a. purpose later to be described.

The motor l9 referred to above is surrounded by a casing 31 forming a support for the baseplate I 0 to which the casing is fastened by means of a piano hinge 44. The,motor is connected in circuit with a source of electrical energy and a switch, comprising a suitable casing 45, which is rigidly attached to the underside of the baseplate l0 and a movable member 46. Within the casing 45, but not shown in the drawings, are arranged a. pair of stationary contacts into and out of engagement with which may be brought any suitable conductive bridge member for the purpose of establishing connection therebetween. United States Patent No. 1,401,652 shows such a switch connected in the motor circuit of a dictating machine as described herein. The bridge member is carried by the movable member 46 and is moved thereby into and out of its contact position.

Formerly, as disclosed in the said patent, the movable member was connected to a lever having a 'flngerpiece extending upwardly through the by the operator.

base-plate where it might be manipulated directly According to the present invention the member 46 is actuated to open the switch by the endwise movement of link 29 when the latter is shifted to release a record-cylinder from its mandrel. Member 46 is actuated to close the switch by the reverse movement of the link 29, to its inner position, when a record-cylinder is moved to its seat upon the mandrel or when the flngerpiece 33 of lever 30 is shifted from its right-hand to left-hand position, as shown in the figures.

The switch casing is supported by a bracket having a downwardly depending arm 41 for supporting the switch and a horizontal base portion 48 which is secured to the underside of the base-plate ID by means of studs 49, as is best shown in Fig. 2. The bracket has also a horizontal portion 50 oifset downwardly from the base portion 48 and connected therewith by means of a vertical portion 5|. Rotatively mounted upon 50 by means of a stud 52 is a substantially T-shaped lever 53, best shown in Fig. 2, comprising a stem forming a toggle arm 54 and a head providing a pair of spaced abutments 55 and 56 respectively. The switch member 46 is connected with the arm 54 by means of a toggle link 5'! connected at one end by means of a pin 58 and slot 59 to the switch member 46 and at a point intermediate its length to the lever arm 54 by means of a stud 6|] and slot 6|. It will be seen that this connection permits the link to move endwise relatively to the lever arm 54 and also relatively to the switch member 46. At its opposite end the link is cam-shaped, as shown at 62. This end cooperates with a pin 63 mounted upon the arm 54 at a point between the studs 52 and 60. The end of the link is held against this stud by means of an overthrow spring 54 which is connected at one end to a pin 65 secured to the link and at the other end to a pin 56 secured to the lever 53.

In operation, the abutments 55 and 59 of the lever 53 are adapted to be alternately engaged by the respective ends of plate flange 43 as the record-ejector link 29 is moved first in one direction and then in the other. As shown in Fig. 2 the parts are in the position they would assume when a record-cylinder is fully seated upon the mandrel. The switch is closed so that the circuit through the motor is complete and consequently the motor is in operation. The mandrel may or may not be rotating, depending upon whether or not the clutch H has been engaged. Supposing that, with the parts in this position, the transcription of a record has been completed. Having released the clutch l! the operator will, as a matter of habit, shift the record-ejector lever by means of the flngerplece 33 in order to release the record-cylinder from its mandrel. This movement of the record-ejector lever will shift the link 29 to the right, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, causing the right end of flange 43 to engage the abutment 55 of lever 53. This will cause the said lever to rotate about its fulcrum 52 and, by the time the flange 43 clears abutment 56, the link 51 and arm 54 will have reached their mutual straightline position. During this movement the pin 63 will ride up the side of cam 62 to its high point. As the link and lever pass beyond straightline position, the pin 63 rapidly down the opposite side of cam surface 62 under the reaction of the tension spring 64. This causes a rapid completion of themovement of the parts of the toggle and a quick throw of switch will be caused to movev member 46, thus breaking switch contact to open the motor circuit.

In the new position of the switch-actuating parts the abutment 56 will have passed down behind the left end of flange 43. Now if the fingerpiece 33 is released there is a tendency for the record-ejector parts to return to their retracted position. The left end of flange 43 will be brought in contact with abutment 56. Further movement of the ejector parts will be prevented, however, since the spring 36 is not sufficiently strong to overcome the reaction of toggle spring 64. Consequently the switch will remain in open position until the ejector parts are normally restored to their retracted position. As stated above, this return of the ejector parts may be accomplished either by forcing a record upon the mandrel until it is fully seated upon the mandrel or by shifting the fingerpiece 33 from its position at the right end of slot 34 to its position at the left end of the said slot, as shown in Fig. 2. Movement of the ejector parts to retracted position by either of these operations results in a reversal of the position of the lever 53 and consequently of the movable switch member 46. The spring toggle arrangement of the lever and link provide a rapid throw of the switch to open or closed position, thus minimizing sparking at the contacts. The toggle connection is prevented from swinging too far in either direction through the engagement of the lever arm 54 with one or the other of two depending flanges 68 or 69 which extend downwardly from the base portion 48 of the switchsupporting bracket.

From the foregoing it will be shown that this invention is one well adapted to attain the objects and accomplish the purposes hereinbefore mentioned; is of simple and rugged construction capable of easy assembly; and, because of the slots 42 the plate 40 can be adjusted endwise with respect to the link 29 so as to compel action of the switch at a predetermined time during operation of the ejector mechanism.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In a phonograph, in combination, a mandrel for supporting a record-cylinder, driving mechanism therefor including means for controlling operation of same, said means being movable between on and off positions to render said driving mechanism operative and inoperative and including spring means for holding said means in either of said positions, a manually operable record-ejector adapted to release a record from said mandrel, and means operable by said record-ejector for causing said controlling means to render said driving mechanism inoperative when said record-ejector is operated to release a cylinder from said mandrel.

2. In a phonograph, in combination, a mandrel for supporting a record-cylinder, driving mechanism therefor including means for controlling operation of same, said means being movable between on and of? positions to render said driving mechanism operative and inoperative and including spring means for holding said means in either of said positions, a manually operable record-ejector adapted to release a record from said mandrel, and means operable by said record-ejector for causing said controlling means to render said driving mechanism inoperative when said, record-ejector is operated to release a cylinder from said mandrel and to render said driving mechanism operative when said record-ejector is restored to its unoperated position.

3. In a phonograph, in combination, a recordsupport, a motor for driving said support, a circuit including said motor and a source of electrical energy, manually operable reciprocative means for releasing a record from said recordsupport, a switch in said circuit having open and closed positions, switch actuating means including a spring for resiliently holding said switch in either of said positions and operable by said record-releasing means upon movement thereof in one direction to move said switch to open position and operable by said record-releasing means upon movement thereof in the other direction to move said switch to closed position.

4. In a phonograph, in combination, a recordsupport, a motor for driving said record-support,

a circuit including said motor and a source of electrical energy, a switch in said circuit, reciprocative means for releasing a record from said -record-support, a spring toggle connected to said switch for controlling the operation thereof, and means associated with said record-releasing means for operating said toggle.

5. In a phonograph, in combination, a recordsuppozt. a motor for driving said record-support, a circuit including said motor and a source of electrical energy, a switch in said circuit, reciprocative means for releasing a record from said record-support, a spring toggle connected to said switch for controlling the operation thereof, and adjustable means associated with said recordreleasing means for operating said toggle.

6. In a phonograph, in combination, a mandrel for supporting a record-cylinder and having a record-cylinder mounted thereon, driving mechanism for said mandrel, a record-ejector movable to a. certain position by said record-cylinder duringthe seating of said cylinder upon said mandrel, means for moving said record-ejector away from said certain position to release a cylinder from said mandrel, and means responsive to movement of said record-ejector to and from said certain position for starting and stopping operation of said driving mechanism, said responsive means comprising an element movable alternatively to start and stop positions and a spring for holdin said element in either position.

7. In a. phonograph, in combination, a recordsupport, a motor for driving said record-support, a circuit including said motor and a source of electrical energy, a switch in said circuit, reciprocative means for releasing a record from said record-support, a resiliently restrained oscillatory device connected with said switch for controlling the operation thereof, and means associated with said record-releasing means for operating said oscillatory device.

8. In a phonograph, in combination, a recordsupport, a motor for driving said record-support, a circuit including said motor and a source of electrical energy, a' switch in said circuit, reciprocative means for releasing a record from said record-support, a resiliently restrained oscillatory device connected with said switch for controlling the operation thereof, and adjustable means associated with said record-releasing means for said motor and a source 01' electrical energy, a switch in said circuit, means operable at will for releasing said record from said support, a pivotable toggle member positioned in the path of movement of said record-releasing means and engageable thereby, and means forming an operative connection between said switch and said toggle member whereby pivoting 01 said toggle member in one direction opens said switch and pivoting of said toggle member in another direction closes said switch.

10. In a phonograph, in combination, a. recordsupport having a record mounted thereon, a motor ior driving said support, a circuit including said motor and a source of electrical energy, a switch in said circuit, means operable at will for releasing said record from said support, a pivotable toggle member positioned in the path of movement of said record-releasing means and eng-ageable thereby, means forming an operative connection between said switch and said toggle member whereby pivoting of said toggle member in one direction opens said switch and pivoting of said toggle member in another direction closes said switch, and spring means associated with said operative connection to effect rapid making and breaking of the contacts in said switch.

11. In a phonograph, in combination, a recordsupport, a motor for driving said record-support, a circuit including said motor and a source of electrical energy, a switch in said circuit, reciprocative means for releasing a record from said record-support, an oscillatory device connected with said switch for controlling the operation thereof, spring means associated with said device for increasing the rapidity of operation of said switch regardless of the rapidity with which said oscillatory device is operated, and means associated with said record-releasing means ior operating said oscillatory device.

12. In a phonograph, in combination, a mandrel for supporting a record-cylinder and having a record-cylinder mounted thereon, driving mechanism for said mandrel, a record-ejector movable to a certain position by said record-cylinder during the seating of said cylinder upon said mandrel, means for moving said record-ejector away from said certain position to release a cylinder from said mandrel, means responsive to movement of said record-ejector to and from said certain position for starting and stopping operation of said driving mechanism, said responsive means comprising an element movable alternatively to start and stop positions and a spring for holding said element in either position, and means constantly biasing said record-ejector toward said certain position,

JOHN E. RENHOLDT. LEON E. BEARDSLEY. 

